Jon Jones is gearing up for combat week.
The heavyweight champion is days away from defending his title towards Stipe Miocic in the primary occasion of UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York, and he’s tuning in to the cardboard’s pre-fight programming. Particularly, Jones took umbrage with Miocic’s selection of phrases from the current UFC Countdown program.
“Convey it on, b*tch,” Miocic stated on the present.
Jones responded to the clip by way of an Instagram Story and on Twitter, which may be seen beneath (h/t Joyful Punch).
“Hiring black fighters to imitate me won’t show you how to, Stipe,” Jones wrote. “And also you shouldn’t have referred to as me a bitch, the disrespect wasn’t obligatory. Let’s play.”
For essentially the most half, the rivalry between Jones and Miocic had been respectful previous to this trade. Jones has typically touted his respect for Miocic, the document holder for essentially the most profitable defenses (4) of the UFC heavyweight title. The 2 have been first booked to combat at UFC 295 in December 2023, however a pectoral harm compelled Jones out of that matchup and put him on the sidelines for a number of months.
In Jones’ absence, British heavyweight Tom Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich for an interim title and has efficiently defended it as soon as, defeating Curtis Blaydes this previous July. Aspinall has repeatedly expressed curiosity in unifying the titles, although Jones’ sights have been locked completely on Miocic.
Jones’ refusal to acknowledge Aspinall—the No. 1 heavyweight within the MMA Combating International Rankings—because the true contender for his title has ruffled quite a lot of feathers within the MMA group, with the all-time nice being accused of “ducking” Aspinall.
After responding to Miocic, Jones fired off one other collection of tweets responding to his critics, together with high mild heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev, who additionally mocked Jones for not preventing Aspinall.
Sound like somebody scary of massive TOM
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) November 9, 2024
Magomed jealousy gained’t earn you legend standing, my pal. Prepare tougher, hate much less. Wish to really insult me? Break a few of my data first. Let’s get began.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
“Magomed, jealousy gained’t earn you legend standing, my pal,” Jones wrote. “Prepare tougher, hate much less. Wish to really insult me? Break a few of my data first. Let’s get began.”
Ankalaev then posted a tweet poking enjoyable at Jones’ historical past of drug take a look at failures. Throughout Jones’ legendary run as mild heavyweight king from 2011-2020, he put collectively arguably essentially the most spectacular résumé in MMA historical past, defeating a litany of former world champions and elite challengers. Nevertheless, a pair of drug assessments serve to blemish his fame, one which price him in an interim title in 2016 and one other that induced a championship win over Daniel Cormier in 2017 to be overturned to a no-contest.
See extra of Jones’ tweet storm as he responded to followers beneath.
It’s an honor to be so desired. I’m over right here as one of the profitable fighters in MMA historical past listening to grade college insults. i’m gonna miss this at some point. https://t.co/CRQJlX6l9R
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
It’s wild how narratives appear to seem out of skinny air. Stipe and I’ve been set to combat for ages, even earlier than the interim title bout. A few of y’all simply run with tales you would like have been actual. https://t.co/UDitvWhsgX
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
I do know it’s arduous for lots of you guys to understand,, however primarily based on his résumé immediately, preventing and beating him would change nothing about my legacy. I’d actually be in the identical place I’m now. The Goat https://t.co/9vNS0Ga4gd
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
If he turns into the most effective of all time, then calling me a duck would make sense. Proper now? Means too early. My problem to him: construct a profession like mine. Profitable 5? Laborious sufficient. 17? I severely doubt it. https://t.co/wxhVq9sQjj
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
I really like speaking MMA with you guys, hope y’all have an awesome evening. –
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024